EFFECTS OF CHITOSAN COATING ON THE STORAGE OF PEACH, JAPANESE PEAR, AND KIWIFRUIT

The effects of chitosan coating on respiration, ethylene production, a nd storage of peach (Prunus persica Batsch. var. vulgaris Maxim cv. Ha kuho), Japanese pear (Pyrus pyri folia Nakai cv. Shinko and Housui), a nd kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa L. cv. Hayward) during storage were investigated. Acetic acid was found to be a suitable solvent of chitos an for coating fresh fruits. Chitosan coating significantly reduced th e respiration rate of peach and 'Shinko' pear in storage and of kiwifr uit after storage. Coating reduced the ethylene production of the peac h markedly, increased the internal CO2, and decreased the internal O-2 levels of 'Shinko' pear. Chitosan significantly inhibited the growth of Botrytis cinerea and fungi isolated from decaying 'Housui' pear. Th is resulted in a decrease of post-harvested spoilage of peach, 'Housui ' pear, and kiwifruit. Chitosan-coated peach and 'Shinko' pear were ma rkedly firmer and less mature at the end of storage, indicating that t he treatment could be an alternative means of preserving fresh fruits.